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Blackthroat triplefin (Enneapterygius atrogulare) — Tripterygiidae

Blackthroat triplefin

Enneapterygius atrogulare

The Blackthroat triplefin (Enneapterygius atrogulare) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Tonga

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Description

The Blackthroat triplefin is a triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, brown-speckled body with three separate dorsal fins and large pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it perches on coral, rocks and in tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackthroat triplefin?

The Blackthroat triplefin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blackthroat triplefin live?

The Blackthroat triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Tonga

How big does the Blackthroat triplefin get?

The Blackthroat triplefin grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Blackthroat triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackthroat triplefin is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Blackthroat triplefin (Enneapterygius atrogulare) — Tripterygiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Sascha Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackthroat triplefin (Enneapterygius atrogulare) — Tripterygiidae — 3
Emily Sonter (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Blackthroat triplefin (Enneapterygius atrogulare) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Felix Harper, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackthroat triplefin (Enneapterygius atrogulare) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Marine Explorer (Dr John Turnbull), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackthroat triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Enneapterygius atrogulare
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Blackthroat Triplefin; Eastern white-barred threefin; Eastern Australian blackhead triplefin; Ringed triplefin; Ringed triple-fins; Black triple-fins; Ringscale threefin; Ring-scale threefin; Saddled triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Tonga sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Enneapterygius

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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